Poetry Archives

Bob Briggs went in for Government,
      And helps to run the State;
Some day they say he’ll represent
      His party in debate:
But with punk politics his job,
      I do not envy Bob.
      
Jim Jones went in for writing books,
      Best sellers were his aim;
He’s ten years younger than he looks,
      And licks the heels of Fame:
Though shop-girls make a fuss of him
      I do not envy Jim.

Joe Giles went in for grabbing gold,
      And grovelled in the dirt;
He, too, looks prematurely old,
      His gastric ulcers hurt:
Although he has a heap of dough.
      I do not envy Joe.

I’ve neither fame nor power nor wealth,
      I fish and hunt for food;
But I have heaps of rugged health,
      And life seems mighty good.
So when my class-mates come to spend
      A week-end in my shack,
With lake and wood at journey’s end
     —They envy Jack.